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L E C T XT !R 3E 



ON THE 



BACKWARD MARCH 



OF 



AMERICAN SOCIETY, 



By "W. H. HOOK, 

The "Western Pioneer.-" 



RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. 



; . 



; ■ 



( 



MADISON, WIS. : 

Copies of this work can "be procured of the Anthor, at Richland Centre, Wisconsin, 
hy forwarding 50cts.; or at W. J. Park & Co.'s Bookstore, Madison, Wisconsin. 

1869. 
U 



V, 



V 



^Entered according to Act of Congress, in the Year A. D., 1869, by W. H. Hook, in the 

Clerks 1 Office of the District Court of the United States, for the 

District of Wisconsin. 



C ant well & Robison, Book and Job Printers, Madison, Wis. 



LECTUEE 



ON THE 



BACKWARD MARCH 



OF 



AMERICAN SOCIETY 



Fellow Citizens — Ladies and Gentlemen : 

It is highly gratifying to meet so many friends of public 
order ; and I hope to entertain your attention in regard to many 
evils which are partaking with the spirit of the age, and pro- 
ducing influences upon American society of the most appalling 
character. My subject may be thought too delicate by many 
to be spoken of in public. But we are taught that the light 
of the world is eternal truth, which cannot be destroyed, as it 
endureth forever. Therefore, truth needs no comparison ; but 
as there is a wide sea between truth and error, why should we 
withhold facts essential to every man and woman's well being, 
on which their future prosperity and happiness may depend. 
And as I am an American citizen, that should be governed by 
reason and justice — a man of iron years and wars of danger, 
that has seen the world under difficulties — why should I shrink 
to carry the torch, and stem the tide of sin that awaits our na- 
tion ? And as the perfection of any argument depends upon 
the certainty of truth of the principles upon which it is based, 
I therefore base all upon the great text book which has proved 
the healing of the nations of the earth. Notwithstanding the 
great pendulum of Time has wrought wonderful changes even 
since the world renowned Franklin caught and tamed the light- 



ning to the present day. As we now ride upon iron horses and 
talk with electric tongues. And Americans surpass the world 
for inventions. Arts are so perfected as to enable the delicate 
hand of one female to perform the labor of twenty muscular 
men of former days. Many of our old pioneers yet live who 
have witnessed all the changes which have taken place m the 
West since their earliest recollections, long before steam had 
exerted its magic influence upon our Western waters, which 
sounded the death knell to the Western keel barge and flatboat- 
men, who were masters of the winding horn and violin. But 
since the old Mississippi had found her match by steam, they 
could no longer be greeted from her banks for their three 
months' old news from New Orleans. They can recollect when* 
boats were propelled up the longest rivers by human labor, 
down to days of steamboats, iron horses and electric tongues. 
They find it difficult to realize the features of the wilderness, 
which was the abode of their childhood days. The cabins of 
their fathers no longer exist. The little field and truck patch 
which gave their supply of bread and vegetables, has long 
since been swallowed up by various improvements. Their little 
forts, which had protected them so many summers, are like the 
baseless fabric of a vision, mere relics of byegone days. They 
can recollect meeting on the Sabbath in the log church to hear 
the word of God, when arms were necessary to protect them 
from the merciless savages who often reigned terror to their 
homes. Their meetings were a source of happiness to the 
masses who were braving the dangers of frontier life. Many 
of these changes may be for the better, and perhaps many for 
the worse. But as the destiny of our Nation rests in the 
hands of the millions, I hope what I say may be considered 
calmly as the advice of one who should have no motive save 
the public good. Therefore I hope to be justified in expressing 
my opinion. 

I shall invite your attention to many of the great crimes and 
tragedies of our day, which like misfortunes, never come singly, 
but seem to follow each other in troops. I shall endeavor to 
show the crowning proofs and true nature and causes of 
crimes, which are daily multiplied under sanction of the public 
throughout the land. This retrograde march of American 
society, should engage the attention of mankind throughout 
our country ; in fact should become the paramount topic in 
every mind, until these monitors of death be arrested. 



I do not pretend to be deeply versed in all the springs of 
human action, but as we take a glance at the world, we find 
man the most distinguished object of creation ; the perfection 
of his bodily form being far superior to all other beings, as his 
intellect surpasses their instinct. And such is the wonderful 
adaptability of man to all climes and conditions of life, that- 
even the frost and snow become his servant. The customs, 
manners, morals and religion of man are noticed in their vari- 
ous gradations, from the sooty African to the fair European ; 
from the bloody Malay of Asia or the ferocious cannibal of 
Anzico (where the graves of the dead are the bodies of the 
living,) to the enlightened disciple of Immanuel, who as an 
angel of health visits the sick and feeds the hungry. 

Fleeting as the shadow of the dial, are the splendors of this 
world, which teaches the master works of God's wisdom. 
Kingdoms will fall, and the diamond may lose its lustre, but 
man is an heir of immortality, in his future elevation he rivals 
all created beings, and the proper study of mankind is man. 
Therefore the avenues that lead to knowledge, should not be 
closed. They unlock the golden treasures of wisdom. Beyond 
a doubt there are many pages unwritten, and many truths un- 
spoken, that might do honor to our race, and every individual 
owes a duty not only to God but to the great family of man- 
kind. The strong owe protection to the weak, and every man 
or woman of talent or influence should freely impart knowledge 
to those to whom such gifts have been denied. For notwith- 
standing in former days the sterling integrity of American 
character was respected in every country throughout the globe, 
no thoughtful man or woman can fail to observe the low grade 
of domestic morals which seem to prevail in our American fam- 
ilies. Owing to the great decay of public sentiment, it is high- 
ly necessary that we cherish and cultivate a good public senti- 
ment in regard to morals and virtue, as well as sustaining the 
dignity and majesty our laws. The practical neglect of the 
Holy Scriptures which has already proved a source of happiness 
to mankind, of which the heathen world is abundant proof, as 
many of its territories contain the richest soils and sunshine 
known to man. Here nature presents itself in its loveliest form, 
but where are the beauties of Jfroliness or fruits of moral cul- 
ture ? Where the safety in those pagan countries ? Here the 
true light of man's relation to God, and duties involved, does 



6 

not shine, which explains their wretchedness. Here we find 
the highest crimes committed without shame. Their places of 
amusement are habitations of horrid cruelty, soaked with the 
blood of unpitied captives, all for the want of knowledge of 
God, and the observance of his laws. 

Greece and Rome, so famous for their literary attainments, 
heroic exploits and civilization, left their religion uninrproved, 
as eminence seems to have been restricted to a proficient few, 
while the millions were swallowed up for the want of the eman- 
cipating influence of God's word. For men without more or 
less moral culture, in all countries, are barbarians, and we find 
barbarous races always on the decline, while the increase of the 
civilized are from that portion who are most obedient to God's 
laws. And in all ages of the world, the most prosperous pe- 
riods are found to be those most directed to the revealed will 
of our Maker. 

If we contrast those countries which base upon sacred law, 
with those, too numerous, by whom neglected, we find the fact 
that classes most obedient to God's laws, most distinguished for 
graces which it inculcates, while those of evil fame are the 
wicked who hate instructions. And in modern times, know 
thyself seems to be a dead letter, for not only men but whole 
nations, fail to know themselves, by turning their backs upon 
sacred law, and basing their hopes upon human science. In 
fact it would seem that infidelity had waged an insane war 
against the peace and- happiness of society, as we find our land 
covered with nets of seduction. The press teems with books 
and journals not confessedly infidel, yet working in that direct- 
ion, fanning the passions of the youth, and teaching religious 
influences under the pleasing garb of science and liberality. 

The Grecian States, with all their science, went down into 
the night upon which no sun has since shone. And their Ro- 
man conquerors with all their rich treasures of knowledge bor- 
rowed from Greek masters, also went down into the tomb of 
dead nations. And a few broken columns remain to mark the 
seat of their once world-wide empire. All for the want of good 
moral culture, which must be based upon faith, justice and 
charity to the toiling millions. Let us not suppose that morality 
can be maintained without the influence of inspiration. Many 
arguments go to prove the necessity of moral and religious cul- 
ture. We read of reformations among the Jews shortly after 
the return from Babylonish captivity, which alone proved a 



source of grace and mercy to men and noble praise to the re- 
deemer of mankind. In fact, the bible is the great law book 
for man — a guide to health, happiness, honor and correct action 
in all things. And whoever will study its pages carefully, will 
find the laws that should govern society, how to dispose of 
riches, the necessity for labor, the folly of idleness, the miseries 
of crime, the fruits of intemperance, the sin of him who taketh 
away the bread of the poor, and of him who enslaves the peo- 
ple into political bondage. Jn fact, all things which control 
the human mind are spoken of in language of inspiration. 
Alas, if they were but obeyed, we should find health and hap- 
piness in place of crime. The most noted persons of past ages 
made the Bible their study, and were its followers. Therefore, 
I wish to point the masses to its pages of truth, and hope for 
obedience to its laws, that we may escape many of the great 
evils whence comes the dreadful harvest of crime which clothes 
our homes in mourning, for experience has taught that the safe- 
ty of every commonwealth depends upon the morals of that 
people. 

We have long boasted of our national greatness, and gloried 
over our great and free institutions ; and America to-day, under 
good moral influences, could mold her history as among the 
foremost nations of the earth, and place the diadem upon her 
head as queen of all nations, and the nations of this broad earth 
must tremble at the tramp of our giant armies, as our means 
are abundant to warrant the highest degree of national pros- 
perity, let but the spirit of practical wisdom prevail, and these 
blessings are ours. 

We may have many troubles and trials in this world, which 
should be borne with patience, as the flower bends beneath the 
storm, to give its bosom wholly to the sunshine, but whose glad 
sensibilities expand to every gleam of happiness. We should 
trust in Him that is just in all things. For happy is that people 
whose God is the Lord. We are taught that while Adam con- 
tinued holy, he dwelt in the light of God, but when he sinned, 
darkness wrapped itself about him, and the eight righteous per- 
sons were prepared and saved in the ark, to the millions drown- 
ed in the flood. Therefore our light should so shine before 
men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father 
which is in heaven. The sword may drive back the invader, 
and Vanderbilt may build railroads, but the gospel must reform 
the sinner, which the appointed disciples were to teach all na- 



8 

tions. The apostles of Christ commanded us to build up a Christ- 
ian character by adding to faith, virtue, love and charity. 
Therefore it behooves us a people, to take up the cause of vir- 
tue, and prove to the world in coming • ages our integrity as 
Christians among the nations of the earth, to the great honor 
and glory of the one true and living God, who has bequeathed 
us a hundred fold in this life, and in the world to come, life 
everlasting. 

Permit me to speak of the unwillingness to observe the Sab- 
bath day, by a large portion of community. It is said "remem- 
ber the Sabbath day and keep it holy," and God invariably 
visits those who seek to drive the chariot of his Providence for 
the power which causes a thing to exist is necessary to continue 
its existence. And the great prevalence of untruths among the 
masses. Notwithstanding truth is true currency in every land, 
many persons will lie upon a year's time, sooner than speak the 
truth for ready pay, and a liar is as much to be dreaded as a 
thief, no matter of what nationalityc In fact, it would seem 
that we were approximating to the normal condition of the 
African tribes, whose members not only recognize the right to 
rob and defraud each other, but hold him in the highest estima- 
tion who exhibits the most shrewdness in making: off with his 
neighbor's property, taking the plan of the cunning Philistians, 
who would rob Sampson of his strength, for transactions which 
in former days would have been regarded as henious and culpa- 
ble in the highest degree, are now classed sharp practice, and 
may pass with perfect impunity under the very eyes and seem- 
ing approbation of our courts. Shall our minds be led captive 
by our passions, like the shorn Sampson led to do work of pas- 
sion stronger than the Philistines. It is said when ye think ye 
stand, take heed lest ye fall. Christ scourged out the brokers 
from the Hebrew temple, because they had made the house of 
God a den of thieves, and in modern times, many of our 
churches seem to be headquarters of fashion and parade, mak- 
ing the gospel a matter of merchandise, which was to be free 
to all. 

PROFANITY. 

And the great profanity among the masses, profaning the 
name of our Creator, who says, "Thou shalt not take the name 
of the Lord thy God in vain !" And the manner in which wit- 
nesses are allowed to testify in our courts of justice. In former 
times it was thought men would swear to the best of their 



9 

knowledge. But in modern times, many seem to swear to the 
best advantage, forgetting the commandment, "Thou shalt not 
bear false witness against thy neighbor !" And it is said that 
death and life are in the power of the tongue. And they that 
love it, shall eat the fruits thereof, as lying lips are an abomina- 
tion to the Lord. And the getting of treasure by a lying 
tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. 
For the robbery of the wicked shall destroy them that refuse 
to do judgment. A false witness shall n®t be unpunished. He 
that s'peaketh lies shall not escape, but shall perish. We are 
also taught that the tongue of the just is as choice silver. My 
friends, the horse is prepared against the day of battle, but 
safety is in the Lord. And the fear of the Lord is the begin- 
ning of knowledge. The Holy Scriptures are plain upon this 
point. Alas, if but obeyed, how many blessings would be ours. 
The license and familiarity of intercourse allowed between 
the different sexes, here lifting the gate for an incoming mass of 
corruption. This blank catalogue of infamy has already ar- 
rived to a fearful magnitude, and is carrying deep vices in its 
train. Why cannot the giant minds of our country shiver the 
chains of this monitor, and stay the popular fury which affords 
no protection to morals or virtue. As this is morally and crimi- 
nally wrong, and must be visited by the worst of all God's 
plagues, which involves the innocent as well as the guilty, of 
which I will hereafter notice. And the great and alarming in- 
crease of murder within our border, which calls loudly for some 
measure to stay its fearful course. Thou shalt not kill, is one 
of the commandments. Therefore we should not be imitators 
of Cain, who murdered one that was nourished at the same 
breast. Of which I shall hereafter call your attention. 

OBEDIENCE. 

The reluctance of parents to teach their children to obey, 
trusting to public school teachers for the manners and morals of 
their children. Notwithstanding obedience of children to par- 
ents is the basis of all government. And set forth as the meas- 
ure of obedience, we owe to our great master. It is said, my 
son, keep thy father's commandments, and forsake not the law 
of thy mother. Train up a child in the way he should go, and 
when he is old he will not depart from it. The rod of reproof 
gives wisdom, but the child left to himself bringeth shame to 
his mother. Honor thy father and thy mother is one of the 



10 

foremost commandments. And persons who do not reverence 
their parents, cannot possess those noble qualities so essential to 
a true lady or true gentlemen, as they must lack a good sound, 
moral character. In former times children lived with their 
parents. In modern days many parents live with their child- 
ren, and no touching of the golden sceptre is necessary to show 
the result. 

MANSTEKS. 

As there seems to be a great and growing disregard to man- 
ners, which is true currency in all civilized countries, and gives 
beauty to the plainest face or form, and reaches the soul of 
every individual, and is the natural expression of purity of 
heart. And by observing these rules we may add to the happi- 
ness of many a human being, without any inconvenience to 
ourselves. We are taught that evil communications corrupt 
good manners. Solomon says, a soft tongue breaketh the bone, 
that a soft answer turneth away wrath. Therefore we should 
never speak harsh words especially to those we love, or those 
that love us. It is a shame that a man will speak more impolite 
at times to his wife or sister than he would to any other female. 
For thus the holiest affection of man's nature often proves a 
weaker affection to woman in the family circle than restraints 
of society. And we often find ladies indebted for the kindest 
of politeness to those not belonging to their own household, still 
using harsh words at their own firesides, which ought not to be 
the case, for persons who inflict their bad tempers upon those 
of their own hearthstones are persons of small calibre. As 
kind words are the circulating medium between true ladies and 
true gentlemen at home. And no polish exhibited in society 
can atone for the harsh language too often indulged in between 
those bound by ties of blood or sacred bonds of love, as con- 
stant bad temper in a person will wear away the affections of 
the most devoted companion. And no letters by post, sealed 
with the King's ring, are necessary to show the result, as un- 
couth manners affects the character of every individual more 
or less. Shall we in our affections to the great God take that 
to be religion which the common reason of mankind will not 
allow to be manners, as when we show looseness of manners, 
similar defects in morals are sure to follow. We cannot expect 
the masses to possess manners that would respect them in a 
queen or prince's court. But show me a person of good com- 
mon manners, and I will show you a person that will be respect- 



11 

ed in every community, from the fact they respect themselves. 
Therefore it is highly necessary that all should be taught good 
manners, as it is one of the golden keys of success. Oh, may 
we not be led into temptation, but be delivered from ill man- 
ners. 

DIVORCE. 

'And the great and alarming frequency of divorce, which is 
working its way from the higher strata of society downward, 
and exerting a decided influence in the control of public opin- 
ion, which bears its legitimate fruit. And no sentinel need 
blow his horn to signal the result. Yet our legislators having 
lost that moral force necessary to our National prosperity, grant 
permission to our courts to divorce the bonds of matrimony at 
the pleasure of the married parties, placing the institution of 
marriage in a more contemptible attitude than other civil con- 
tracts, not even requiring the same qualifications in the con- 
tracting parties as in other matters of common business, and 
with this fruitful source of poverty, shame and ruin, the parties 
are turned loose upon society, and the result is well known. 
Christ said, from the beginning of the creation, God made male 
and female, for this cause shall a man leave his father and moth- 
er, and cleave to his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh. 
What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put 
asunder. Therefore it behooves the American people to take 
up the cause of virtue, and enter a protest against divorce, 
other than those truthful besetments or alleged causes which 
shall appear beyond a doubt. And I hope the sun will yet show 
its golden rays to the great masses of the people, who are an- 
swerable for public opinion, that they may throw around the 
marriage relation that reverence to God's laws, so essential to 
our race, and let death be the only separation from a union that 
should be carefully sought and virtuously maintained. That we 
may have love in our midst, and be guided by its heavenly in- 
fluence, for were it not for the passions that sway the human 
mind, how many weary, worn frames would give up life without 
a murmur were it not for some dear one that inspires them to 
live and to toil, that the loved ones may be happy. In fact the 
world is stimulated by love, the result of virtuous deeds, and 
destroy lawful sexual love, and the choicest earthly blessings 
are obliterated from men. They would not have the courage to 
drag the huge pine trees from the snow clad mountains, or pur- 
sue the whale to Greenland or the Southern pole. But this pas- 



12 

sion leads men and women over sea and land to unite their 
souls with the appointed counterpart of their hearts in the mar- 
riage relation. Therefore humanity should not abuse this pas- 
sion. Divorce is often the fruits of infidelity, jealousy, perhaps 
without a cause, excessive use of alcoholic drinks and tobacco, 
or marrying for money, or to please friends, instead of true 
love, which God designed should accompany the marriage 
state, as we are taught that better is a dinner of herbs where 
love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therein. The Holy Scrip- 
tures are quite plain upon this passion if but obeyed. Look at 
the weather beaten, hard working mechanic that toils from 
dawn to eve. Ask him of his home and loved ones, and the 
bright smile that lights up his face will assure you that his labor 
is light, since it is shared with those he loves, and the frail, 
over-worked woman whose midnight lamp often finds her work 
unfinished. Oh, some dear one of her heart inspires her to live 
and to toil that the loved one may be happy. 

Money may purchase all the luxury, affluence, and position, 
but the wealth of the world cannot purchase what the poorest 
and humblest may justly claim ; and were we guided by its holy 
influence there would be less human depravity among men. As 
love sweetens our existence by all that is delightful in passion, 
and is one continued banquet to the possessor, and to such no 
skeleton will appear. It is often said that every man has his 
price, but we see men facing the mouth of a cannon^ or the point 
of the bayonet, yielding up their lives, to them the most valu- 
able of all possessions, for love. This mighty power sways the 
crowned head as well as the humblest individual ; love rules the 
court, the camp, and the grove. So let us never separate our 
love of God from our love of country. 

I shall now make a few remarks upon 

INTEMPERANCE. 

We are taught that the drunkard and glutton shall come to 
poverty, and drowsiness shall clothe him in rags ; but notwith- 
standing the scripture is plain upon this point, it seems to have 
taken ages for society to learn the true effects of extracting al- 
coholic drinks from bread, the staff of life, and its demoralizing 
influence upon the countless millions of human beings who fall 
by this great monitor of death. Yet the authorities of our land 
grant license to individuals who pay the public for the franchise 
of vending and dealing out intoxicating liquors to the toiling 



13 

millions, and no sacrifice of New England rum is necessary to 
show the deep vices and miseries which follow in its train, as the 
highwayman, pirate, and burglar are stimulated to crime by its 
influence. Let mothers and sisters speak who have served like 
slaves or beasts of burden to this monitor, whose oncje cheerful 
homes are now clothed in mourning. Must we still learn these 
great truths at the mouth of the cannon or at the twin cracks of 
a revolver like millions before us, or shall we put on our armour 
and shiver the chains Jhat bind us with ruin, and stay the popular 
fury which affords no protection to the masses. In fact, alcohol 
albed with tobacco is supporting a large portion of the mod- 
ern world in doing wrong, and tobacco not only costs the world 
five hundred millions per annum but greatly impairs the intellect 
of meu and proves a common enemy to women, its filthiness 
alone keeps men from the sex to indulge the habit, and it im- 
pairs vitality which lessens man's interest in woman and the en- 
joyment of her society until they often prefer the companionship 
of men. Such persons are unhappy and usually have to borrow 
fire from others while those who are inclined to associate with 
ladies seldom complain of high mountains, bad weather, or hard 
times, but enjoy life as it comes. Their manners are apt to be 
more polished, as the iron and steel of their character are laid 
aside, like the hardness of a warrior in time of peace and safe- 
ty. The culture of this weed produces great wretchedness in 
society, and affords no sustenance to laborers. 

SEDUCTION. 

Shall I mention the great increase of seduction, and the man- 
ner in which they are treated in our courts of justice. Should 
the seduced have money or friends, there may be a remedy in 
the shape of damage, but most females bringing suic to recover 
are regarded by our citizens and courts as being unworthy of 
that respect due to a true woman, and as being willing to ac- 
cept pecuniary compensation for the destruction of her honor 
and virtue, on which her future prosperity and happiness must 
depend; while her seducer, perhaps the real culprit, is too often 
regarded as a spirited character. Here society must be at fault, 
as this opens the great avenues to crime and human depravity 
among the sexes. The seduced female finds much difficulty in 
returning to respectable society after yielding to her passions, 
even under promise of marriage. Not so with her destroyer, 
who has robbed her of her purity in a moment of passion. He 
may have a partial corrective for his passions, which if not 



14 

sanctioned by the public is often winked at by a large portion 
of community, while women have none unless the one which in- 
volves her destruction. In fact, a woman's character may be 
hinted away under present rules of society, here taking secretly 
from a female that which cannot be restored, the sacred reputa- 
tion which alone cherishes life, therefore many females are un- 
justly cast into the world, which affords little or no protection 
to female labor, and perhaps debarred from acting as servants 
in a society in which they had once moved an equal, having lit- 
tle before them but the vilest traits of humanity. Were they 
properly encouraged, many would return to a life of virtue and 
usefulness, instead of sinking into a dishonored grave. Man 
may boast of his heroic deeds and sufferings upon the field of 
battle, but is outdone by woman, who raises up sons to fight 
the battles of her country. She is the pride of a nation. De- 
stroy her virtue, and the downfall of a people is sure, as she is 
first to send the gospel to benighted nations, first to respond to 
the calls of the needy, and first at the tomb of a crucified Sa- 
vior. Her hands are ever full of love and charity. For these 
qualities, man loves her. He visits and explores the earth ; 
delves beneath the scorching sun ; dares the tempest upon the 
high seas, the shock of battle, and the fagot of the barbarian, 
that when his toils are over, he may rest in her embrace. Man 
without love for woman would be like the Icy Mountains of 
Greenland — cold forever. But when the love of a virtuous wo- 
man reigns in his heart, he becomes fitted for the joys of life 
and good beyond the tomb. " Woman is the glory of man," 
was the language that fell from the lips of the Apostle Paul, 
the great teacher of Christian religion. And we find in all 
countries, woman gives direction to manners, whether free or 
subject, as they derive this power from our passions. Yet this 
influence depends upon the estimation in which they are held, 
as our idols, companions, courtesans, slaves, or as beasts of bur- 
den. The reaction is complete. They make us what they 
themselves are. As nature attaches our intelligence to their 
dignity, just as we attach our happiness to their virtue. Here 
there is a law of justice. Man cannot debase woman without 
degrading himself. He cannot elevate her without bettering 
his own condition. We may say that we often find females the 
greatest oppressors of their own sex, which ought not to be the 
case, as woman is not only my mother but the mother of Kings, 
and the base of society, and her influence is as necessary for 



15 

the well-being of our race as money to commerce, fuel to the 
engine, or food to the hungry, and without her influence all the 
bonds of society must be broken at once. Therefore their 
rights should be preserved. But who can preserve the rights 
and liberties of a people, when they shall abandon them them- 
selves ? Who shall keep watch at the temple when the watch- 
men sleep at their posts ? But the masses seem as incredulous 
as in the days of Noah in regard to the coming deluge. Noah 
had warned his countrymen for years to prepare for the coming 
event. They, like people now-a-days, heeded him not, and I 
fear woman will not realize the dangers that threaten her until 
submerged in a maelstrom. There should be a good public sen- 
timent cherished in regard to this matter, as every person should 
take pride in the welfare of this great Republic, on which our 
prosperity and happiness depends. I am aware that parents 
often think it right to withhold from their children, especially 
daughters, facts essential to every man and woman's well-being, 
on which their future prosperity and happiness may be based. 
As knowledge is power when properly harnessed, and vice is 
never the offspring of just knowledge, therefore we should 
never prevent the circulation of the truth. By proper instruct- 
ions from parents to their children, seductions and divorce, 
which sap the very foundation of wedded life, would become 
less frequent, and consequently prostitution comparatively ex- 
tinct. 

Early marriage should be encouraged, as matrimony as es- 
tablished in all christian countries greatly contributes to the 
health and happiness of the human species. Young men under 
such influences, instead of seeking excitement and amusement 
in the intoxicating cup and brothels, there acquiring habits which 
often cling to them in after years and which destroys the richest 
gifts of God to man, would become the brightest lights of society. 
Must we learn these great truths at the mouth of a cannon. 
Why should refinement conceal from human beings what 
most deeply concerns them to know? What mother as she 
clasps her infant daughter to her breast, but often casts her 
thoughts far into the future of that beloved child, and covets 
for her a happy and honored place, and shudders at the thought 
of blight or shame, that may overtake her person or character, 
and to ward against these evils she perhaps brings her up in 
profound ignorance of many truths, respecting the origin of 
offspring and kindred subjects, until the girl's mother is often 



16 

the last person consulted on matters purely personal and pri- 
vate, which must prove totally wrong, as a mother is the proper 
person for a daughter to learn the mysterious origin of being, 
and the changes that being must undergo from childhood to 
maturity. As these truths must come to every person, the mother, 
who would lay down her own life for her offspring, should see 
that this knowledge comes first from her own lips. For the 
manner in which others may impart these facts, and the gross 
matter which may be mingled with them, often contaminate 
the purest minds, and tend to corrupt and debase the sex. How 
many thousands have fallen through sheer ignorance of the 
laws that govern their own being, who might have been saved 
from a fate a thousand fold worse than death by judicious pa- 
rents ? For instance, not one young person in twenty is ever 
told by their parents that sexual intercourse, during the period 
of menstruration is productive of disease. Or as regards over 
indulgence in those pleasures nature makes free of cost. The 
same as regards self-abuse, which is destroying the beauty as 
well as the mental and physical ability of thousands of our sons 
and daughters to-day. The sacred laws are plain upon these 
points. If obeyed, how many would escape this great and 
growing evil, who must sooner or later deal with an iron hand 
that wears no gloves ? How often do we see the youth with 
haggard face as the direct result of this unnatural practice ? 
This is but a truthful picture of thousands of our young men 
and women, even before their generative organs become devel- 
oped, thus not only destroying the better element of their own 
nature, but that of their posterity, by sacrificing the cross and 
crown of their virtue. Therefore parents should give their sons 
and daughters proper instruction in regard to these matters, as 
well as a good moral and religious training. The minds of 
children are very easily impressed. A word, a look or frown, 
may engrave an impression upon the mind of a child, which no 
lapse of time can wash out. You may write upon the sands of 
the sea shore, but the return of the tide may wash it out. Not 
so with truth and error, wtiich your conduct imprints upon the 
minds of your children. Here you make impressions for the 
everlasting good or evil of your offspring, which the slow mov- 
ing clogs of time will fail to obliterate. Many a child goes 
astray for want of sunshine at home. They look little beyond 
the present moment. If home is a place of faultfinding, they 
spend as many hours as possible elsewhere. Therefore parents 



17 

should be cheerful in their American homes, which are a genu- 
ine blessing to the possessors. And it need not contain the 
mocking counterpart of the open world, or the glare of a tem- 
ple. It may consist of a log cabin, and yet be expressive of 
those endearments which makes home a pleasant refuge. 

LABOR. 

Another great misfortune in our country, is the constant and 
increasing tendency to idleness and extravagance. Notwith- 
standing the American people were formerly spoken of by for- 
eigners as an industrious and saving race, many of our young 
men think farming far beneath their notice, while no man is so 
high or so low, as not to be affected by its prosperity or decline, 
as the cultivation of the soil is the most important labor of 
mankind. The human race may be civilized to some extent 
without much commerce with distant neighbors, but without 
cultivation of the soil, men in all countries are savage. There- 
fore farmers are the great founders of human civilization, and 
the farmers of our country should rank as the pride and glory 
of America, and we have a Divine promise of seed time and 
harvest, while the earth remaineth. But, alas, most of our 
boys complain of manual labor. They wish to become clerks 
in stores, banks or saloons, or be government officials, where 
they can get good pay for little work. And our girls waste 
much of their time upon music and fashionable dress, putting 
their beauty at show, and as the result, many husbands and. 
fathers are plodding through this world, early and late, in pov- 
erty, and without sympathy, in consequence of their wives' and 
daughter's fashionable demands. Girls would add much to 
their domestic happiness and comfort, if they would but add to 
their accomplishments a thorough knowledge of housekeeping, 
as no duty can be faithfully performed without bringing its own 
reward. 

The force of circumstances doubtless compelled the pioneer 
women of the West to lead a life most conducive to health and 
happiness. This was perhaps due to hopefulness, and industri- 
ous habits, as well as freedom from the tyranny of fashion. The 
wives and daughters of that day often displayed wonderfuL 
courage and presence of mind in facing the dangers of frontier 
life. Had the places of the four thousand Mexicans who were 
defeated at Sacramento Pass by a Missouri regiment of eight 
hundred and fifty-six men, been occupied by a few such females^ 



18 

that victory would not have been won with so small a loss to the 
conquerors as one killed, one mortally and seven slightly 
wounded. Nor would many other battles of that war, which 
crowned our arms with glory, have been so easily won, had the 
enemy been animated with the spirit and courage of the pioneer 
women of the West. 

Our mechanics expect large pay for a few hours' work, and 
as the result, we see high prices for all the products of industry, 
and large importations of foreign commodities to supply defici- 
ences, partly caused by our own idleness and extravagance, 
while the first determination of every person should be to live 
within their means. If we live two days in one, we must have 
one day less to live. Nothing is more important to success than 
the judicious application of labor. But Young America sells 
tape, studies law, or gambles in stocks, leaving others to swing 
the scythe and wield the sledge, and labor which is the founda- 
tion of all wealth, is neglected, and we know the result. As it 
is a well established fact that every person, male or female, was 
made to do their share of the labor of this world, and they re- 
fuse at their peril. As health, strength and long life are de- 
pendent upon obedience to this law, which proves requisite to 
respectability and good standing in society, as labor explores 
the universe and makes up the great sum of human knowledge, 
counts the ribs of the great mountains, feels the pulse of the 
sea, traces the foot-paths of the planets, and brings the thoughts 
of others for thousands of miles to our own firesides. In fact, 
no real good is derived from any source without labor of mind 
or muscle. Therefore we should earn our money, and each dol- 
lar will be worth one hundred cents. Young men should resort 
to labor and turn up something for themselves, in placeof wait- 
ing for something to turn up for them, as ten lack for energy 
where one lacks for money. 

Six days shalt thou labor, is one of the commandments. And 
it is said, the sluggard will not plough by reason of cold, there- 
fore shall he beg in harvest. But the hand of the diligent shall 
bear rule, but the slothful shall be under tribute. The hand of 
the diligent maketh rich. The Scripture is quite plain on this 
point, as idleness is always a chance for future misfortune, 
and the ruin of most persons date from some idle hour, there- 
ore employment proves an armor to the soul. 



19 

LAWS. 

Now shall we go on this Backward March like the Wander- 
ing Jew, who is to tramp creation until the last day ? That we 
have laws is true, but it is vain to think that a people will en- 
force laws, who have not been morally educated far in advance 
of all law. Therefore our laws prove a dead letter. As law is 
not worth a Quaker's gun in the absence of morals and virtue, 
as the authorities close their eyes as these evils pass. In fact, 
most of our officers have lost sio;ht of justice and reason, as re- 
gards morals and virtue. Therefore it behooves us to elect 
good, sound, moral, trustworthy persons for our public servants, 
that there may be no breaking in or going out, or complaining 
in our streets. It is said we are the salt of the earth, but if the 
salt has lost its savor, how shall it be salted ? 

Our laws should govern all alike, those opposed as well as 
those in favor. It was evidently the will of the great controller 
of man's fate and destiny, Who sends fire and pestilence, as 
well as rain and sunshine upon the just and the unjust, that 
every human being, either weak or strong, should be governed 
by the laws of justice. Therefore sympathy is due to even the 
worst criminal known to the law. And it is the duty of courts 
and jurors to protect the rights and liberties of the lowest and 
meanest of mankind, when placed upon trial accused of 
crime. And it is equally their duty to administer the law with- 
out fear, even should the accused be possessed of influence, 
wealth or talent. But under present influences, this is often re- 
versed, as it is a maxim of common law that every person shall 
be deemed innocent until their guilt be proven beyond a doubt. 
And again, that it were better that ninety and nine guilty per- 
sons to escape, than for one innocent person to suffer. And un- 
der these influences, we may expect the largest portion of our 
criminals to go at large, who are ready at any moment to prey 
upon us with their midnight dagger. Therefore mercy to an in- 
dividual often proves injustice to community. The greatest 
good to the greatest number should be our motto. We should 
have laws that would protect the masses, and at the same time 
defend the individual. And it behooves the people of this Re- 
public of whatsoever creed or denomination, to take up the 
cause of morality and preserve the emblem of virtue and puri- 
ty, and seek to rebuild our former habitations, or the dove may 
go forth never to return. We must not surrender hope. The 



20 

sun may yet shine, as we are taught that sorrow endureth for a 
while, but joy cometh in the morning. Have hope in the aspi- 
rations of man, and faith in the Providence of God, and laws 
of humanity. I do not pretend to illustrate the great truths I 
wish to advance, by taking the plan of the Spartans, and exhib- 
it a drunkard for a temperance lecture. But I wish to convey 
ideas that you may think and act upon, as self-control is among 
the first conditions of success. We should have fidelity and 
kindness of heart in our domestic relations towards our fellow- 
beings less fortunate than ourselves. For helpless indeed is 
man in the state of infancy. He comes into the world even 
more helpless than any other living creature, and stands much 
longer in need of care and protection, and it is plain to see that 
man is placed upon this earth under less favorable circumstances 
than the meanest animal that crawls, as they are clothed and en- 
dowed with proper instinct for their own protection. In fact 
all living beings upon this planet seem in their proper sphere of 
action but man. Nature supplies them with all their wants, 
hence they are happy in their homes. But man is naked here, 
and at enmity with the sphere he moves in, always spurning the 
present, and basing his hopes upon the future, which is con- 
clusive evidence of the immortality of the soul. True the earth 
gives him his body, but she is not the mother of the mind of 
man, as we are taught that the Lord God formed man of the 
dust of the ground, and breathed inte his nostrils the breath of 
life, and man became a living soul, and that he created male 
and female, and blessed them. And said unto them be fruitful 
and multiply, and replenish the earth. This is a commandment, 
which should be cheerfully obeyed by the children of men, from 
the fact it seems to be the principal end of man's earthly exist- 
ence. And so imperative is the voice of nature, that the uni- 
versal mind of the human race is more concentrated on the pas- 
sions that tend to the consummation desire, than all the other 
attributes of being put together. This seems to have been the 
case in every age of the world in which history has preserved 
the record. All are united in the desire which finds its accom- 
plishment in the production of their kind. In fact the whole 
sexual system seems to have been created in the human being 
for the express purpose of perpetuating the species and replen- 
ishing the earth, and as a source of legitimate enjoyment to the 
races. Wherein lies the mystery of all this ? Even setting 
revelation aside, which would shiver all the bonds of society at 



21 

once, it is quite natural to suppose it was to supply other worlds 
with spiritual inhabitants, to carry out some great and manifest 
object of their creation. As we are taught that nothing has 
been made in vain. Whereas were to be born and to die the only 
result of our being, the human race were a vanity, and cruel in 
the extreme, for matter would progress as well through the 
realms of space without them. The cares and pains of man's 
existence might be dispensed with, were there no higher ser- 
vice required of him than to flatter himself with hopes which 
are as natural to him as the air he breathes, that were never to 
be realized. But whether the intention is or is not to supply 
heavenly worlds with spiritual inhabitants, there is nothing more 
certain than it is one of the first duties of mankind to increase 
and multiply. And the man who leaves the world without hav- 
ing obeyed the command, can scarcely be said to have fulfilled 
the great end of his creation. Although it may be said that all 
persons are not productive of offspring. As regards this, 
permit me to say that beyond a doubt all are equal to the task, 
who have not abused those gifts nature makes free of cost. 
Without the necessary means of production they could scarcely 
exist. Although we must admit there are many unfruitful mar- 
riages. Thus it was with Bonaparte and Josephine, who 
though unfruitful in connection, gave proof that the deficiency 
did not lie in either, but in their relationship to each other, or 
perhaps their high intellectual minds, which not only proved 
embarrassing to Napoleon and Josephine, but the whole French 
nation was in flame, and perhaps resulting in the downfall of 
this wonderful man. In facing an enemy he had always found 
himself equal to the task, but divorcing this illustrious woman 
proved the most affecting scene of his whole career. 

INFANTICIDE. 

I must now call your attention to a silent monitor, which 
leaves all other crime far in the distance, which the law of God 
and reason of mankind would condemn, far in advance of all 
legislation, which first visited the Eastern shores of this coun- 
try, and long since found its way to our far Western homes, 
and is threatning destruction to family life, and the extinction 
of our race. It may not be necessary to mention Pharoh's 
order to the Hebrew midwives in relation to the male children 
of the land, or the murder of the innocent children in the land 
of Judea by the hand of Herod. But the great corruption \>f 



22 

American homes, and the drinking up of American life, causing 
the early decay of American women by the wholesale destruct- 
ion of the innocent, which is so recklessly practiced in our 
country, even in our Eastern States, so renowned for their re- 
finement and virtue in former days, where we may expect more 
refinement than in the West, they being the most enlightened 
and populous States of America. In this favored land, the re- 
ligion of man should be most pure, and his character most ele- 
vated. But notwithstanding man is an intellectual being, it 
seems he will degrade himself far below the brute creation, as 
regards the propogation of his species. And no crossing of 
swords is necessary to show the result. For such is the lesson 
taught by contempt of virtue and voluntary childlessness, open- 
ly sowing the seed of licentiousness and disease, so destructive 
to the marriage ties. A practice in which well informed and 
well to do American born ladies are as deeply involved, if not 
more so, than the less favored. Like the savage, whose total 
object is the extermination of his enemies' children, being vic- 
tims of his vengance. For if males they may become warriors, 
if females they may become mothers. It is not enough that 
the foetus perish with the murdered mother, it must be torn 
from the womb as a trophy of victory — an object of horror to 
the survivors of the slain. Now admitting evil to be as neces- 
sary as good, war to be as necessary as peace, and the history 
of man to be one continued detail of bloodshed, yet within the 
entire range of human history, no civilized warrior dishonors 
his sword with the blood of heipless infancy, old age or the fair 
sex. And no prophet need come from his grave to say that this 
most unnatural state of things calls loudly for a remedy, and 
require no comment beyond the one that a people who deliber- 
ately pursue such a course, rendering the intent of our Creator 
void, do not deserve the heritage of a free country. And un- 
less this horrible practice be speedily checked, it must before 
long undermine the greatness of our American Republic. That 
she will no longer answer to her name upon the great roll call 
of nations. That many of our American homes are desolate of 
children is too true. Many more with but a single child. And 
American women compared with women of Northern 
countries of Europe are found to decay much earlier, traceable 
to their unwillingness to fulfill the special end of their being ; 
while owing to the beauty of American ladies, they should be 
the most and not the least prolific race on earth. We may 



23 

carve marble into human form, but no chisel gives it life. We 
must admit, there are many wives whose homes, with no fault 
of their own, is ungladdened by the sunshine of offspring, and 
we should deeply sympathise with any such and feel theirs 
the hardest lot to which a true woman could be called ; and 
we hope none such will enhance their burdens, or be personally 
suspected of having rendered themselves childless by crime, and 
they should cheerfully help stamp out the fire that eats up Amer> 
ican life, and save our sisters and daughters from sorrow which 
must be theirs wlio fill a grave over which no tear will be shed, 
where their names must perish as the result of their own folly. 
As the emblem, our grave yards are largely filled with young 
wives whose ages vary from eighteen to thirty-three, at a period 
when their lives should be full of vigor, hope and happiness, 
when each pledge of love should be an additional source of joy. 
Shall we be like Alexander, selfish destroyers of our race. 
Humanity should always find refuge in our tents. The sacred 
scriptures warns us against hands that shed innocent blood. 
How can human beings coolly enter the workshops of life and 
destroy the germs of immortality. Years ago, our legislators, 
guided by the plainest principles of reason, believed human be- 
ings, like all other living beings, propagated their species ; they 
were taught that the human foetus, even at the earliest period 
of its existence, was as much a human being as it ever could 
become, therefore they passed stringent laws for the protection 
of its life. True all living bodies spring from germs, which was 
part of another being. This rule holds good throughout the 
vegetable and animal kingdom, and these facts may be reduced 
to laws that govern all living bodies, which is confirmed by an- 
cient and modern writers. 

Here then is a new individual being, not yet a man, if by the 
term man we mean one of mature age, but a human being. 
And she who bears these sacred responsibilities is a mother as 
truly as she ever can become. And there is nothing in God's 
word or works which affords the least shadow of support to a 
theory for committing one of the highest crimes known to the 
moral or criminal laws of the land. Notwithstanding many are 
basing upon human science, which is to them as an armor of 
steel through which no arrow of truth can penetrate, until 
broken in pieces by the iron hand that wears no gloves. Now, 
my friends, although victory may hang upon a doubtful balance, 
yet as it behooves a soldier to die fighting upon the field, 1 will 



24 

show that the corner stone has long since been knocked from 
under the great temple of virtue and jmrity in our country. 
The symbol of perfect happiness revealing the beauty and glory 
of the divine hand. That we have many blessings in our coun- 
try is true, but how often do we see these blessings trampled 
under foot. The freedom of the press is a blessing, so long as 
the press deals in truth. But a liar is never to be trusted, even 
should he speak the truth, and no boom of cannon or marching 
of Zouaves is necessary to show the influence of the press for 
the good or evil of society. Therefore it behooves editors to 
publish a good, healthful class of reading, which is entwined 
with truth, as good reading is the world's benefactor. It 
speaks to man's better nature, and lifts him to a higher life. 
But as it is better to be warned of an approaching enemy than 
be surprised by him, the masses should be aroused in exterpat- 
ing the immoral class of literature of the present day, wherein 
justice must fall to the ground. Oh, may he that tempers the 
wind to the shorn lamb, inspire our publishers with truth, the 
whole truth, and nothing but the truth, that many blessings may 
be theirs. Our country seems flooded with false teachers, not 
of Catholic faith, but of infidel proclivity, and arch enemies of 
souls, who fill the country with books, such as "Physiology," 
"Marriage Guides," "Matron's Advice," "Bride and Bride- 
groom," &c. In these books they teach a mixture of truth 
and error well calculated to contaminate the youthful mind. 
They notify the reader in regard to preventatives of conception 
and disposal of embryo offspring, and pretend to show how 
this can be safely and innocently accomplished, where and how 
application can be made, which will receive prompt attention, 
all confidential, and under seal, of which we have abundant 
proof, as there is any amount of these books as well as obscene 
journals spread broadcast throughout the land to gratify the all 
absorbing love of "filthy lucre." And many of our newspapers 
give place to advertisements of the most immoral character, in- 
forming the public where sure and safe nostrums can be had 
for the removal of obstructions in the female system, which 
must be used with great caution as they are sure to produce 
certain effects, &c. Now I appeal to the friends of public or- 
der whether this class of death-dealing literature is in accord- 
ance with the laws of justice. How many do we find departing 
from the laws that govern their own being, as the direct result 
of these advertisements ? And under other influences many an 



25 

unfortunate girl might to-day have been the peer of a good vir- 
tuous woman, occupying a good position in society, instead of 
the unwept child of misfortune, sinking into an unhonored 
grave. But under present influences the public mind is led to 
believe that infanticide is no crime, and the result is both sexes 
are under its destructive fire. And a large portion of our phys- 
icians aid in this vile trait of humanity. And persons may be 
found even in our far West who receive considerable income 
from such source. In many of our villages, and all large cities, 
such persons abound, many of them occupying spacious houses 
for the accommodation of their patients. And horrible as it 
may appear, fashion and custom to a great extent has legalized 
this crime, and the woman who consents to the destruction of 
her embryo offspring, and the physician who aids in the crime, 
hold up their heads before the world as though their hands were 
not stained with human blood. That there are many houses in 
our large villages and cities where females rid themselves of 
these sacred responsibilities is too true. Now and then a trage- 
dy with fatal results startles the public, bat money soon covers 
the guilt of the parties and stifles further inquiry. And the 
vile trade goes on. Therefore, it behooves the masses to make 
legal and moral inquiry into this matter. It may be impossible 
to unveil the secrects of family life where husband, wife and 
physician are allied in crime, but semi-public institutions in 
which murder is king, there is little excuse for the laws' blind- 
ness. Were robbery charged upon these places of slaughter, 
detectives in hope of reward would uncover these mysteries. 
Infanticide being the only practice no one seems disposed to 
punish, their iniquities and the enormity of the crime does not 
even awaken public sentiment. I am aware that a reform is 
often met by stubborn opposition, as when our leaders proposed 
the emancipation of the toiling millions of slaves of this coun- 
try, they were opposed by the great masses of the people, and 
it afterwards became a military necessity in order to sustain our 
Republic, and bring peace to our homes, so as regards morals 
and virtue in our country. The time has come when the mass- 
es should be aroused from their stupidity. All minds should 
exert their utmost ability in exterpating the vicious principles 
and habits which have taken deep root in our midst, or we may 
find ourselves as helpless as the prize fighter who has left off 
training and taken to beef and beer. He may be fat and jolly, 
but his strength is gone, and months may elapse befcre he can 



26 

be restored to his former condition. My friends, this is no idle 
tale of the outpouring of Italian lovers in the first month of 
their betrothal, as there is good reason to believe that the 
requesite means for destroying the fruits of the womb is within 
the reach of most females, so that to a much greater extent than 
formerly mothers become the executioners of their own off- 
spring, thus expelling the precious fruits of the womb by force, 
in violation of nature and the teachings of God. And in many 
parts of the country there are less than one-fourth the births 
that should and would be under correct influences. And were 
it not for our log cabins, and foreign peasant girls arriving in 
our cities, who not only bring with them healthy, vigorous con- 
stitutions, but spotless virtue and integrity of character, the re- 
sult of good moral training, our cities must soon be destitute of 
healthy females, while there is nothing that should stimulate 
man or task his faculties more than the art of preserving health. 
Perhaps there are many persons who feel that there is so much 
misery in this life that it is as well, if not better, for the child 
never to be born. To any such, permit me to say that beyond 
a doubt thousands of mothers annually go down to a premature 
grave as the direct result of this practice, and tens of thous- 
ands are dragging out a miserable existence on account of dis- 
ease and disappointment by finding themselves incapable of 
bearing healthy offspring. Many of the assigned causes of in- 
sanity is that of infanticide, mental derangement being the result 
of local injury, traceable to the criminal act. True in few cases 
it has operated as a moral cause. For instance the unfortunate 
sufferer has borne offspring which was only permitted to remain 
with her long enough to show the unhappy mother the priceless 
gift she previously refused to accept. How often do we see 
young ladies, who should be in the bloom of life, with haggard 
faces, by contempt of virtue, as God ever leaves a witness 
where his laws are trampled under foot. A lady may walk the 
streets clothed in silks, yet this monitor will show itself through 
the thickest paint. Yet in their ashes their wonted fires burn re- 
gardless of the awful consequences that must follow, as all must 
run the risk of spilling the last drop of blood in their veins, and 
every female maybe told there are no safe means of infanticide. 
True some may undergo the ordeal in safety for the time being, 
but the chances are ten to one that death or other evil conse- 
quences follow. Many a wife and mother sits by her hearthstone 
bewailing the lost charms which once held him who promised to 



27 

love and cherish her through life. In consequence of this great 
and growing influence, will a true woman so far sacrifice her 
greatest charms by contempt of virtue, as to destroy the vitality 
of her own being by this wicked practice ? A degraded man 
may do this. How can woman, who is by nature, a producer, 
former, and educator of her race, and naturally desirous of off- 
spring, her form, organization, thought and feelings, are consti- 
tuted and designed by our creator, to feed and nourish the foetus 
and bring it into the world of humanity a living image 
of the Deity, as well as nourish it through infancy 
from the rich treasures of her bosom, and man is 
endowed with love of life and instinct with affection. 
Yet both sexes are daily practicing this wholesale butchery. Still 
none the less instinct with the life that is God given and immortal. 
While we are taught that a gracious woman retaineth honor, and 
the merciful man doeth good to his own soul. But he thatis cruel 
troubleth his own flesh, and as a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, 
so is a fair woman without discretion. May heaven protect virtue 
and innocence against the hand of the destroyer ! Will the 
teachers of this wicked crime continue to rise up amongst us ? 
They should remember that the day of retribution must come, 
without mercy. In accordance with divine revelation they will 
be visited with the wrath of a just God, who is to visit the sins 
of the fathers upon the third and fourth generation, of all who 
forget God. 

In all this, woman would seem to be the principal actor and 
sufferer. Doubtless few women would commit this fearful 
crime without the approval of husbands, friends, or sanction of 
public sentiment. Therefore we should do her great injustice, 
should we not bear in mind the fact that most females have 
many real or fancied troubles during the early months of preg- 
nancy. As regards fears attending this period, most ladies are 
quite oblivious, but lack of means for sufficient support in these 
days of luxury and extravagance, or the moral responsibility of 
becoming a mother may darken her vision. Yet most women 
would bear up under these troubles, were they properly encour- 
aged by husbands and friends, or simply assisted by a correct 
public sentiment in regard to the true nature of the crime they 
may be tempted to commit. But under present influences, can 
she be expected to resist the advice of friends to do as others 
do, and relieve herself of her prospective troubles ? I do not 
mention this that I would exculpate her from blame, for if she 



28 

destroys the fruits of her womb, even under these circum- 
stances, she must be blamed, and she is not the only one. The 
sin does not all lie at her door, but those husbands who fail to 
cherish and sustain their wives in this time of trial, and parents 
whose daughters may have strayed from the paths of virtue? 
and especially those who give them when thus situated, any in- 
timation that an increase of family is not desired, are to be 
blamed, and those pyhsicians who aid or abet in the destruction 
of a human foetus at any period of its existance, unless abso- 
lutely necessary to save the life of the mother, and any who fail 
to give proper instructions to their patients or applicants as re- 
gards the true nature of the crime they desire aid in commit- 
ting, and our legislators and legally appointed tribunals who 
should punish for infanticide, even the unfortunate who stakes 
her life to conceal her fault, and her accomplice should be 
amenable to law and punished, that virtue may reign triumphant 
throughout the American Republic ! 



INDEX. 



Page. 

Introduction 3 

Profanity * 8 

Obedience » * 9 

Manners .- 10 

Divorce ? 11 

Intemperance 12 

Seduction * » 13 

Labor. 17 

Laws 19 

Infanticide > 21 



ERRATA. 



On the third page, third line, the word "entertain, 11 should he "enchain. 11 
Also on the same page, the word "comparison 11 should be "compromise. 11 
On the seventh page, sixth line from bottom, the word "prepared 11 should read "pre- 
ferred. 11 

On the tenth page, twenty-second line from top, the word "affection 11 should read 
"protection. 11 



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St AUG 89 

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? &F INDIANA 46962 






